Kenya visa requirements and entry rules

Headline

eTA USD 30, 90 days, single-entry

Pre-arrival card

eTA (replaces visa system since January 2024)

Official portal

https://www.etakenya.go.ke/

Specifics

All visitors apply on official eTA portal regardless of previous visa-free status.
East Africa Tourist Visa USD 100 available for combined Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda trips.

By passport nationality

Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Kenya’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.

US passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA replaces visa system since January 2024.
UK passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA via etakenya.go.ke.
EU passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA for EU passport-holders.
CA passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA via etakenya.go.ke.
AU passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA via etakenya.go.ke.
IN passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- Indian passport-holders use eTA system.
BR passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA via etakenya.go.ke.
JP passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA via etakenya.go.ke.
CN passport
ETA required
Up to 90 days · USD 30
Pre-arrival: Kenya eTA
- eTA via etakenya.go.ke.

Practical guidance

For most short-stay tourists

The headline rule for Kenya is eta usd 30, 90 days, single-entry. US passport-holders specifically get eta required for up to 90 days at USD 30, with Kenya eTA required pre-arrival. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.

Pre-arrival documentation

Kenya requires eTA (replaces visa system since January 2024) before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Kenya.

When to apply

For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Kenya’s official portal is www.etakenya.go.ke; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Kenya embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.

Common rejection reasons

Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Kenya explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.

Related for Kenya

More on Kenya

Read the Kenya visa and entry requirements chapter →

Kenya is the East African anchor for safari tourism (Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu, Lake Nakuru) and one of the more developed travel destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, with a generally easy English-speaking experience. The structural risks are concentrated and addressable: the Nairobi petty-crime baseline that has been compounded by the 2024 Gen Z anti-Finance-Bill protest cycle, the al-Shabaab terrorism threat that has sustained partial-area Do-Not-Travel advisories for the Somali border counties (Mandera, Wajir, Garissa) and parts of the coastal strip near Lamu, the malaria endemicity in safari areas, the safari-vehicle road safety pattern, and the practical logistics of the post-2024 eTA-replaces-visa regime. This guide unpacks the entry mechanics, the regional risk map, the safari operator landscape, the malaria and tropical-disease discipline, and the practical contacts that shape a Kenyan itinerary.

Frequently asked about Kenya

Do I need a visa to travel to Kenya?

The headline rule is: eTA USD 30, 90 days, single-entry. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Kenya's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.

How long can I stay in Kenya on a tourist visa?

eTA USD 30, 90 days, single-entry. eTA (replaces visa system since January 2024) is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.

Can I extend my visa once I'm in Kenya?

Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Kenya's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.